People from Adeje Council and the Walk for Life Foundation recently completed the "Camino de Santiago por la Vida," a pilot project that aims to establish itself as a regular event, open to anyone interested in taking part in the future. The aim of this initiative, under the motto, "The journey is the goal," is to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer detection, as well as the importance of attending regular mammography appointments, about surviving the disease, and advocating for increased support for research and medical teams dedicated to fighting breast cancer.
This first walk saw 30 people taking part, most of them people directly affected by breast cancer. José Antonio López Delgado, Adeje Councillor for Equality and Diversity, explained that "the participants were mostly women who have had or currently have breast cancer, women of all ages, who were physically able to walk the Camino for five days and whose health allowed them to engage in physical activities in a risk-free manner”.
Since he was told of the project the councillor was fully behind it. "It was a unique experience of people in harmony with each other, of strength in unity, of surviving, the common denominator among almost the entire group being their direct experience with breast cancer”.
Foundation president Brigitte Gypen emphasised that "reaching the start of the Camino de Santiago is an achievement, regardless of whether all the stages are completed or not. Being at the starting point is remarkable for those who have received a diagnosis and are undergoing oncological treatment." She underlined, "it is not about competing, fighting, or winning by reaching Santiago, it is about walking and being together, sharing time and experiences, establishing connections among people with cancer and also among their families and companions; this is the true triumph of this journey."
The route was designed by the technical staff of the Adeje Council’s department of health, and was adapted to the specific needs of the participants. Six stages were completed, covering a total distance of over one hundred and twenty kilometres from Sarria, in Lugo, to Santiago de Compostela, along the famous Camino Francés. Throughout the entire journey, Adeje Council provided assistance and support.
Throughout the journey, the participants demonstrated the importance of normalising the disease and also how encouraging the scientific advances are. "This initiative is a way to raise awareness and shed light on the fight against breast cancer and the impact this disease has on all aspects of the lives of those affected," said Councillor López Delgado.
Fundación Carrera por la Vida - Walk for Life
The Walk for Life Foundation is a charitable initiative that works to meet the needs and demands of individuals and families affected by breast cancer, and to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
Its headquarters are located at the Adeje centre for Citizen Participation, C/ Beneharo, Las Nieves, Adeje, where the organisation organises activities to raise awareness about cancer, especially breast cancer.
Among its projects, the "Walk for Life" is a headline activity, taking place annually in Tenerife and an event that has grown in terms of the number of participants and social impact since the first ‘Walk’ in 2005. Today it is a reference point as a charitable event in the Canary Islands, with monies raised for the maintenance of Walk for Life assistance projects and bringing together those working to fight this disease.
